Igwe in Nigeria
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| People Name: | Igwe |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 24,000 |
| World Population: | 24,000 |
| Primary Language: | Igwe |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 30.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 6.00 % |
| Scripture: | Translation Needed |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | No |
| People Cluster: | Guinean |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Igwe is a stable indigenous Edoid language of Nigeria belonging to the Niger-Congo family.
Igwe is spoken in the Akoko-Edo LGA (Local Government Areas) in Edo State. The area is marked by chains of ancient ridges, rugged rocky hills, and a cave, stretching across the length and breadth of the region. The beautiful hills are believed to be products of volcanic eruption.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The majority of the Igwe people are farmers, growing cassava, yams, and maize. Some people have small-scale trading and other businesses. The New Yam Festival is an important event celebrated to thank God for a bountiful harvest.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Christianity was introduced in the area in the 19th century. Though around a third have become Christians, and many have adopted Western weddings and education customs, the majority follow African Traditional Religion. Animism, a belief that natural physical entities such as animals, plants, and even inanimate objects possess a spiritual essence, is its core concept.
What Are Their Needs?
The economic situation of the Igwe people is poor. They have gained little benefits from local mining industries. They have few social amenities such as medical health care, good roads, stable electric power, good drinking water, good schools, and other facilities. Many people find it difficult to have three square meals. There is nil or very little government presence among language groups in this region.
Igwe is thought to be the first language used by all in the ethnic community. It is not taught in schools. The multilingualism of this people group needs to be analyzed to determine in what domains Igwe, English, Pidgin English, and neighboring languages are being used. Community leaders, who may be interested in language development to preserve their language, could attend available workshops that would expose them to language vitality and potential short-term development and translation projects.
Prayer Points
Pray Igwe speakers will engage with Scripture that is available in other languages and assess their level of understanding of those Scriptures to determine their translation needs.
Pray Igwe community and church leaders will pursue oral or written translation projects to provide their people with God’s Word in their heart language.